The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio

The Handle Bar offers a drop-​in rate of $ 15, which is why I’ve checked them out. Package costs are comparable to other spin studios in the area, but this one does offer free shoe rentals, since they require clip-​ins.
The music is loud (grab a pair of earplugs from the front desk), the bathroom/​locker room access is tight, and the work out is INTENSE. You think you’re done, and then the instructor has you grab a 5 lb bar stored next to your bike to do arm workouts while you spin.
Guarantee #1: you’ll leave sweaty. Guarantee #2: Ample places nearby for a delicious meal afterwards.

After hearing rave reviews and the benefits of spin class I decided to try it. I went with my manager and a coworker here as they’ve been to the handlebar and had great things to say about it.
We came in and the person who checked us in was nice and even let us switch seats so that we could all be together. She asked me my shoe size (size 5) and she gave me a look that she didn’t know if she would have anything that small. They did. There are no lockers here but there are cubbies to put your belongings in.
The class I took was with Matt. As this was my first time, I went up to him and asked him to help me set up. He differed it to someone else which was a bit off-​putting but no big deal. At one point my spin shoe came off the pedal and I had no idea how to put it back on. I had to raise my hand and ask Matt to help which it seemed he was a bit annoyed to do.
I am not athletically inclined. At all. I was scared and nervous to take a nonstop cardio class because I didn’t think I’d be able to keep up. The class was great, the music selection was great, the pace was great, I even surprised myself in that I didn’t stop (with the exception of the part that my foot came off the pedal). What really kicked my ass was the arm portion. The bar was heavy!
All in all, I sweated and had a great workout. I can definitely see why spin has become so popular. I would definitely recommend this studio and Matt’s class, with the recommendation that he be more helpful to newbies like myself!

Have been to many spin studios and this is my favorite. The classes have a lot of variety, so I never get bored, and the music is amazing. Also everyone who works there is super friendly. Can’t wait to come back for more!

I LOVE the HandleBar Harvard Square. Both the desk staff and the instructors always make me feel welcome, and I appreciate their friendly personas. Most importantly, the classes kick my butt. I love that this is a full body workout — legs, abs, arms, and mind. I always leave class feeling energized and looking forward to my next class the HandleBar.

The Handle Bar Harvard Square is hands down not only one of my favorite spin studios, but one of my favorite fitness studios overall in the Boston area. I used to be on classpass so I’ve tried a number of them but always kept buying extra classes to the Handle Bar.
The studio itself is always kept in great condition and the showers are a huge plus because it makes it easy to go to and from work or class. The locker room is stocked with must haves in case you forget to pack something and they offer free hairbands and ear plugs in the front. The location is also very convenient between Central and Harvard square.
The front desk staff and instructors are welcoming and make sure that you feel comfortable whether it’s your first time riding or 100^th. They know riders by name and make you really feel part of a community.
As for the workout, you can expect to leave there accomplished and wanting to go back for more. The instructors are tough but without compromising safety, which I think is really important. My advice would be to try a class with a few different instructors to find one you like best in terms of music and style but honestly, I’ve never had a bad experience with any.
Would recommend it!

I had the chance to take a Saturday morning class here through ClassPass recently. What an awesome 9 AM wake-​up! It was a 60 minute class, and I really enjoyed the structure. It flew by! I also really enjoyed the how much upper body work was incorporated into the class. I really felt like I got a total body workout.
The studio staff members were so nice, and I really enjoyed the amenities. It was so nice to have the luxury of borrowing shoes in the studio. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in Cambridge!

Just took my second class here on Friday and it’s becoming my second fave spin place next to FlyWheel!
I will say this spin class is unique in that it focuses a lot on arms and crunching while on the bike. I feel like it’s more of a full body workout versus FlyWheel is mainly cycling with a side or arms and abs exercises. Because of this style of class it is definitely not as intense as other classes.
The studio set up is nice but the bikes are really close to each other and unless you’re in the front you can’t really see the instructor.
The showers are nice and there are three of them, so I’ve never had to wait for one after class.
If you’re in the area, check this place out. The staff here are very friendly as well which is a plus.

The management here is pretty incompetent. 1. They said my card was declined, when it’s working just fine. 2. They either don’t know the dynamic of their studio or are too focused on getting as many people as possible in class. They told me that I’d probably get in as I was the first person on their waitlist on a Saturday morning. The studio was so packed though the minute I got there that it was pretty clear I had a slim chance of getting in. So if you wanna go here bring cash and don’t plan on using the waitlist.

Good facilities and convenient location, but I find their instructors mediocre. Instructions are often kind of unclear, and their rides aren’t as challenging as other studios I’ve been to. I find myself cranking up the resistance on my own to feel like I’m getting a good workout. No real sprints either.

I really wanted to like this place, but I just can’t. I’ve tried it a handful of times now, different instructors, different locations (most of my classes have been at the Harvard Sq location) but they’re all pretty much the same. Instructors are novice at best, the music is not motivating and it’s mostly electronic music that the class has never heard of. Also, the instructors’ microphones don’t work well. I found it extremely hard to hear anything the instructors say due to the sound quality — it’s a lot of static noise. There’s also way too many tap-​backs, «push ups» on the bike, and other arm workouts. During my last class, there wasn’t one song that we just pedaled. Some people may like this, but spin to me is about biking, not doing fake push ups that just hurt your wrists and lower back. I will not return, even with Classpass.

Came here for the 10am class the day after XMAS and it was def a solid ride (60 mins actually never felt so long!) … I feel like A-​OK appears to be a bad review but honestly this place was really great, I just don’t think I would come back.
The good:
+first class is just 10 bucks
+clean, simple space and easy check in process with parking @ meters or around the corner w/​Cambridge Permit Parking.
+friendly instructor
The bad:
–I am going to knock off not 1 but 2 stars for the noise level of the studio. I felt unsafe almost in how loud it was in the class. I had the ear plugs in but half way through the ride they did fall out (and putting them back IN my ear is something I did because the noise was so insanely loud)
–I was worried not just for my own health and ear drums but the health of the teacher– listening to music @ that level for hours a day is probably bad for you.
I really liked it just still not on par with Soul Cycle in Back Bay. I have been to Soul twice in the last few months and they hands down deliver a wonderful, amazing class that incorporates not just music but also a great release from stress with some yoga/​spirit/​body/​soul aspect. I was in town visiting Cambridge from the South End so prob won’t be back here but it was def worth a try!

I’ve been a fan of the Fenway location for some time. All the things I love about the other location goes for here too. Great instructors, great music and great bikes!
A few things that are EVEN BETTER about this location:
–SHOWERS! The bathroom area is huge and so nice. I would kill for a shower/​changing area in the Fenway location.
–The spin shoes at this location are killer. Brand new and fantastic.
–The studio has a really intimate vibe. A little darker and edgier? You can definitely get the community feel in this class.
The only thing that still bugs me is the open locker situation. I really wish you could lock your stuff up. And parking. But that is a problem everywhere in Boston, right?!
BONUS: They have great discounts and deals on class packages throughout the year. I’m totally addicted and can’t wait for my next class!

I have loved the Handlebar Southie for a while as it is near my place and easy to make a class in the morning, but I am loving the Harvard square location as its close to work. The addition of a locker room is great and its clean and well stocked. It’s easy to get in a workout and shower before work or go after and still be presentable to go out somewhere after.
Candace is my preferred instructor so I get up early for her class here, but many are great. Its worth it to try out many instructors to find one whose class you enjoy the most. This is one of the best workouts around and certainly the best spin studio in Boston (I have tried them all!). At first it was hard but now I find I’m challenging myself more and the 6lb weights in Harvard square (as opposed to the usual 4 at the other studios) have really stepped up my game and toned up my arms.
If you are even considering going here, do it! you will love it!

My first spin class in Boston was at The Handle Bar Southie Studio. I loved taking classes there even though the classes are pricey. I decided to give the new location a try because I work in Cambridge.
PROS:
The Harvard studio looks amazing. The spin room is much bigger then the one in southie. Plus the fans on the ceiling are better then the fans that literally «blow you away» if you sit next to them in southie.
The bathroom has a separate area for changing and showering! Plus there are a few products you can use to make yourself super pretty after spinning!
I will be back.

I’m loyal to the Handle Bar’s Southie studio (and it’s next to where I live!) but when I heard they were opening a brand new location in Cambridge, I just had to go!
First impressions:
–Gorgeous looking studio outside and in. It’s open and inviting from the street.
–Excited to see that this location has separate restroom/​changing and SHOWERS!
–It’s located in the middle of Central and Harvard (I walked from HS and walked back to Central to get the T– only about 5 minutes).
I’m excited to see that familiar faces will be spread out across all three studios! The manager, Maura, I used to see in Southie is now in Harvard Square, and my first class was with Cara from Fenway. When I looked at the schedule, I saw that Lena, Rachel, Candice, etc. were all going to teach classes there! I’m excited to try out some of the new instructors that will be filling up the new time slots across the city.
For new riders, I recommend you also checking out reviews of the Southie and Fenway studios to see what classes are like. Highlights — I love the music and the theme rides. I love that it’s pretty much dark, so you can really focus on yourself — not worrying about others. Not only are you in the saddle pedaling away, but they also incorporate workouts for the abs and arms! (Note: it’s normal to take more than one class to get the hang of this… It took me a bit, but that’s the fun of it! They really emphasize to do what you can and the moves will come!) To me, the cost is worth it. It’s the best workout, plus it comes with such a fun, positive community — that’s what makes people go again and again.